Gary Epstein, CEO of EasyBiz Technologie
Full Name: Gary Epstein
Position and Company Name: CEO of EasyBiz Technologies
Main Activity of the Company: EasyBiz provides business software solutions to clients in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The products that the company provides include Quick Payroll, and MiClient software, as well as ancillary services that go hand in hand with these products, such as support, training and consulting
Date and Place of Birth: October 14, 1958, Johannesburg
Schools and Tertiary Education: A national diploma for technicians in electrical engineering (light current)
First Job: I started working at Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa
Career History Prior to Current Position: Euro Point Electronics, MD and shareholder (1998 to 2004); Age Electronics & Cellular, MD and owner (1991 to 1998); Albert Epstein Brokers, sales and marketing manager (1989 to 1990); Procom Sales, internal sales/ telesales, external sales engineer, product specialist, product manager, sales and marketing manager, and then sales director designate (1985 to 1989); Amtronix, senior electronics technician and then technical manager (1983 to 1984); Atlas Aircraft Corporation of South Africa, apprentice and then electronic technician, 1979 to 1982
Size of First Pay Packet: R355 a month
First Job with Present Group: MD
Value of Assets under Your Control: Few million rands
Number of People under Your Leadership: 28
Management Style: Listener, democratic, understanding, two-way road, time for play and time for work. I maintain a low staff turnover and a high retention rate (98%) through mutual respect and loyalty
Personal Best Achievement: Business related – I acquired QuickBooks accounting and software solutions exclusively from Intuit for the South African market, as well as the distribution rights in sub-Saharan Africa. I also grew the QuickBooks accounting software from a 0% market share in 2000 to a top-three accounting software choice in South Africa today
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My children
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Brad D Smith, ex-CEO of Intuit Corporation
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Past tense – Nelson Mandela
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Steve Jobs
Philosophy of Life: What you put in is what you get out
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Starting up QuickBooks in South Africa
Biggest Ever Disappointment: None
Hope for the Future: That world conflict reduces to an absolute minimum
Favourite Reading: Daily Newspaper
Favourite TV Programme: Discovery Channel
Favourite Food/Drink: Shellfish/fizzy drinks
Favourite Music: Club
Favourite Sport: Rugby
Hobbies: Electronics and handiwork
Car: Jaguar
Pets: A dog
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who are know-all’s
Married: Yes
Children: Two
Clubs: None